Quote:
Originally Posted by The Reaper
Surface area allows radiation of heat.
Greater surface area (and greater mass) equals faster cooling.
Formula for area of a cylinder (barrel) will show this.
Thicker barrels may be stiffer, but all have harmonics, and those will likely change as the barrel heats up.
Some shorter or lighter barrels may shoot just as well as a thick one for a few rounds.
For most rifle hunting, barrel diameter is probably irrelevant. For a belt fed, it is critical.
TR
|
Painted the block and tinware of my hotrod's engine flat black because of the better thermal emissivity.
It assists in cooling.
Curious to know if such things have been done with machine gun barrels.
(Not sure if non-insulating paints are made which will stay on in those temperature ranges).